September 30

Miami, FL/Grand Cayman, BWI

The sweet aroma of baking rum cakes has returned to Grand Cayman. The Tortuga Rum Company's store and small bakery on Boilers Road reopened on September 29, just 18 days after category 5 hurricane Ivan ravaged the Cayman Islands. Tortuga and other Cayman businesses are making rapid progress in the rebuilding of this tiny island.

Eight of Tortuga's 17 outlets in Grand Cayman have reopened - 3 airport shops, 2 local liquor stores and the two waterfront shops with mini-bakeries. The company expects to reopen its main bakery and headquarters on Monday, just four weeks following the storm.

"We should be fully operational and back to full capacity for export in another two weeks," says Robert Hamaty, founder and president of Tortuga Rum Company, Ltd., known world wide for its Tortuga Caribbean Rum Cakes - the #1 export of the Cayman Islands.

No one escaped damage from the flood waters that swept over Grand Cayman early on the morning on Sunday, September 12. Hurricane winds of up to 150 mph and a 20 foot storm surge pummeled this tropical paradise. Hamaty and his wife carried his 87 year old mother out of five feet of water that flooded their home.

Yes, relief efforts were swift. Tortuga Imports, Inc., the company's international distribution center and warehouse in Miami quickly mobilized to get aid to the island. Within two days, pallets of donated goods - water, food and other necessities - were flown to Grand Cayman. The shipments soon became 40' container loads as dozens of companies and individuals contributed to the Cayman Relief effort organized by the company.

"The response has been overwhelming," says Monique Hamaty-Simmonds, the president of Tortuga Imports, Inc/Tortuga Rum Cake Company and Robert's daughter. "One day we sent 10 pallets totaling 11,485 pounds on a US Defense cargo plane. We'll keep the efforts going for as long as needed and are so thankful for the generosity of so many who are helping Cayman rebuild."

With the busy holiday gift-giving season approaching, Hamaty-Simmonds hopes customers will make it a "Caribbean Christmas" - adding Tortuga gift baskets, flavored coffees, rum fudge, truffles and savory sauce packs to their shopping list. The company's full line of gourmet Caribbean products is available via mail order at 1-800-444-0625 or at www.tortugarums.com www.tortugarums.com.

Celebrating its 20th anniversary, Tortuga Rum Company, Ltd. is a family owned and operated business based in Grand Cayman, B.W.I. with bakeries in Jamaica, Barbados and the Cayman Islands. Tortuga Imports/Tortuga Rum Cake Company handles worldwide distribution, mail order and online sales from Miami, Florida.